EDMONTON – The Great Streak Clash came down to Devil determination, a heavy helping of what smells like destiny, and utterly no defense. But in what was virtually a miracle victory, the Devils now are chasing the NHL record.

The Stanley Cup champs stretched their franchise-record winning streak to 10 games last night, the longest in the NHL this season, coming back repeatedly for a 6-5 overtime triumph over the also-streaking Oilers here last night.

Patrik Elias completed his hat trick with 8.4 seconds left in overtime for the improbable triumph, picking off an Oiler clearing attempt and slapping home his 32nd of the season.

Does this comeback happen without the streak on the line?

“I don’t think so,” Martin Brodeur said. “We got some dirty goals, and their speed was tough. Their speed really killed us, but we gutted it out. A streak like this doesn’t happen too often.”

Said Ken Daneyko: “It goes to show that we take pride in this and we wanted to continue this winning streak.

Added John Madden: “I definitely saw the light in the guys on the bench. They were all up. We’ve been down three zip. We could surely use one before the period was over.”

Elias scored the winner after nearly leaving the game from a puck in the mouth.

“My teeth are sore,” Elias said. “They asked me if wanted to go in [the locker room]. I said no.”

And then he scored the winner.

New Jersey is now poised to pursue the NHL record 17-game winning streak of the 1993 Penguins, facing only two playoff teams in their next eight games.

The Devils have only won since they fell 3-2 in Carolina Feb. 23. They passed the nine-game winning streaks of the Oilers and the Avalanche for the NHL’s best of the year.

Tomorrow in Calgary, the Devils can also match their franchise-record road victory streak of six straight, set last year.

Elias’ winner pulled the Devils back into a point tie with the Senators atop the Eastern Conference, each with 11 games left.

The loss snapped the Oilers’ unbeaten streak at 10 games.

Mike Comrie and Jason Smith scored first-period goals for the Oilers and Anson Carter made it 3-0 before Madden connected late in the second.

Elias revived hope with his 30th 1:14 into the third, after Petr Sykora hooked the puck from Tom Poti. After retrieving Colin White’s blocked shot, Sykora drew goalie Tommy Salo toward the left circle and slipped a pass into the slot, which Elias converted. Elias joined Sykora and Alexander Mogilny with 30-plus goals, the first time the team has had three since 1992-93.

An apparent Oiler goal was disallowed at 2:34 of the third when video review ruled Dan Cleary directed a rebound behind Brodeur with his arm.

Edmonton scored one that counted to reopen a two-goal lead at 4:26. Scott Niedermayer was caught for a 2-on-1 and Daneyko fell, giving Ryan Smyth a 2-on-0, feeding Tom Poti for his 12th.

Randy McKay pulled the Devils back within one 1:42 later, jamming in his 20th while stationed at the left post on the power play. The 34-year-old cracked 20 for the second time in his 12-year career.

Bobby Holik was credited with his 13th to tie the score 4-4 at 8:42, when his centering pass from the end boards towards McKay bounced in off defenseman Smith.

Todd Marchant put Edmonton back in front at 12:35, as the Oilers were handed yet another odd-man rush. With Scott Stevens caught up-ice, Scott Niedermayer chased Mike Grier into the right corner on a 2-on-1, leaving Marchant alone down the slot for his 12th of the season.

Elias forced OT with his second of the night and 31st this year with only 4:04 left in regulation. Sykora broke through to the left circle for a shot off Salo, which rebounded to the right doorstep for Elias to convert. In frustration, Igor Ulanov leveled John Madden after the goal, and was ejected for attempt to injure, giving the Devils a five-minute power play.

There had not been a collision of such streaking teams, both unbeaten in nine or more, since 1980, and it was only the seventh such meeting ever.